Trossard gone, Besiktas confirm €20m deal
Leandro Trossard touched down in Istanbul on Tuesday night and the move is done. Besiktas have their man. The Belgian winger joins for a fee around €20 million (1) (3) (5) (8) (14). He leaves Arsenal with 27 goals and 24 assists across his spell in North London (14). At the airport, Trossard was already doing the traditional eagle pose, and the Besiktas fans were waiting for him (1). "What Dries Mertens was for Galatasaray, he can become for Besiktas," one Belgian outlet wrote (3).
The deal frees up wages and roughly €20 million for Arteta to reinvest. And it opens a spot on the wing that needs filling fast.
Saliba's back gives way in World Cup semi-final
William Saliba went down without contact midway through France's semi-final against Spain on Tuesday night (6) (7). He could be seen mouthing "my back is gone, my back is gone" before Maxence Lacroix replaced him (reddit). French media later confirmed he had been playing through back pain since the start of the World Cup and gritting his teeth to stay on the pitch (7, reddit).
Get the next Arsenal FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
No official timeline yet from the French camp, but with the Community Shield and Premier League season approaching, this is a real concern. Saliba was highly effective even while managing the injury, and the French press acknowledged he deserves credit for that (reddit).
Tzolis says no to Dortmund, waits for Arsenal
Christos Tzolis has turned down Borussia Dortmund (10) (15). The Club Brugge attacker wants Arsenal, and the club have held talks over a deal reported to be worth north of €30 million (15). Brugge want a record fee for the former FC Twente man (15).
Tzolis is seen as a direct Trossard replacement, and with the Belgian now officially out the door, this one could move quickly.
Arsenal prepare fresh approach after Trossard funds land
A European club is bracing for an Arsenal offer for their best player, now that Trossard's sale is complete (4). No name yet, but the reporting frames the fee as directly unlocking this move. The same story has circulated alongside the Gyokeres-Alvarez swap chatter (2) (12) and the Bruno Guimaraes pursuit.
Guimaraes interest carries tapping-up risk
Arsenal's pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes is serious, but it carries a warning. Newcastle sources suggest any contact without the club's permission could lead to tapping-up allegations (9). The midfielder remains Arteta's top midfield target, and a new bid is expected.
Barcelona still circling Julian Alvarez
Barcelona are not backing off (11). Julian Alvarez prefers a move to Spain, but Arteta rates him highly and Arsenal remain in the conversation. The Gyokeres-Alvarez swap rumour floated in Wednesday's gossip pages adds another layer (2) (12), though nothing concrete has emerged from either club.
Palace eye Norgaard as Guimaraes domino
Crystal Palace are watching Christian Norgaard's situation (13). If Arsenal land Guimaraes, Norgaard's minutes dry up further and Palace are ready to move. The Dane has featured sparingly and a summer exit makes sense for all parties.
Fan reactions
The Saliba injury hit hard. Footage of him mouthing "my back is gone" circulated immediately, and fans are bracing for bad news. Many pointed out how he played through pain the entire World Cup, with one thread asking how players like Saliba and Rice manage to perform at that level while carrying injuries. The mood is anxious but respectful, what he did for France while hurt earned genuine admiration from Arsenal supporters. See the discussion here.
